OB Burners and Hoopers Get Busted

OB Burners and Hoopers Get Busted

A young man spins unlit fire chains by himself, in the middle of Collier Park at Soto & Greene. His phone rings, a tinny sound from his pocket. He pauses to answer it, tucks it between his shoulder and his ear, and continues to spin while he talks. The spinning is almost an afterthought, his body dancing slowly, almost like tai chi, but with whizzing metal balls on chains involved.

Slowly a troupe forms, ten people or so, mostly men and mostly young-looking, in their 20’s and 30’s. They lounge on the grass at first, then as more people begin to show up with more gear – long poles of PVC piping, tennis balls shoved into knee-high pantyhose, hula-hoops, and other practice materials – the people on the ground begin to rise, and to spin.

This group meets every Monday at 6p.m., organized and led by Chris Harrison. By day, Harrison is a computer programmer at UCSD. By night, his occupation and persona changes – he is known as Taz, and he spins fire. He runs the Monday flow class for all levels, and fire is not involved. It’s a practice session, so relaxed that I even join in, giving myself a couple good whacks in the head and shins before finally nailing down a solid turn. It’s harder than it looks.

But I am here not because fire spinning looks cool, although it does, I am here because fire activities have become controversial lately. OB is a community rich in burners, known as such because a number of them perform at the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada, as the San Diego Fire Conclave.

The Lost Street Fair Photos

The Lost Street Fair Photos

Diligent researchers at the OB Rag blog have just unearthed an entire batch of foggotten photos from OB’s Street Fair held last weekend.

These photos, by Jeff Stone, cover a variety of subjects. We need assistance however in determining who is in the photos. So if you see someone or some band you know, give us a shout-out.

Privatization track record sparks backlash

Privatization track record sparks backlash

As San Diego County supervisors seek to privatize more services, public officials elsewhere are reading the danger signs and starting to move in the opposite direction.

Like many other local and state governments desperate for budgetary quick fixes, the county board fell back on the old knee-jerk assumption that private companies can perform public services “better, cheaper and faster.” The facts show that quite often the opposite is true.

The track record on privatizing government functions is becoming harder to ignore as real-life examples of tragedies, cost fiascoes, more cost fiascoes, corruption, fraud and service failures pile up. …

Sewer Spill and Graffiti Updates

Sewer Spill and Graffiti Updates

DOG BEACH SEWER SPILL UPDATE
by Dave Gilbert

As of 9 this morning (7-1-09) the danger signs are still up at Dog Beach where the S.D. river meets the ocean or “where the debris hits the sea” on down South to “the rump”, but the difference is that today nobody (dogs or people ) were in the water. … more inside
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GRAFFITI UPDATE
by Jon Carr

We’re seeing more and more murals and electric boxes with actual “art” being hit by taggers. Apparently there’s supposed to be some sort of street code that says you don’t tag someone’s already established artwork. These taggers don’t seem to care about that and are happy to ruin something beautiful that someone spent alot of time and energy on. … more inside

A Secret History of Dissent in the All-Volunteer Military

A Secret History of Dissent in the All-Volunteer Military

The All-Volunteer Force (AVF) exists for a reason captured in a study by Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr., author of the “definitive history of the Marine Corps,” published in Armed Forces Journal in 1971. The U.S. military in Vietnam was at that moment at the edge of chaos. As Colonel Heinl put it, it was experiencing “widespread conditions… that have only been exceeded in this century by the French Army’s Nivelle mutinies of 1917 and the collapse of the Tsarist armies [of Russia] in 1916 and 1917.”

In fact, statistics flowing back to Washington about the American war machine in Vietnam then pointed toward an unimaginable nightmare. Drug use was rampant; desertions stood at 70 per thousand, a modern high; small-scale mutinies or “combat refusals” were at critical, if untabulated, levels; incidents of racial conflict had soared; and strife between “lifers” and draftees was at unprecedented levels.

Open Letter to Union-Tribune Editor: Why I cancelled my subscription

by Anna Daniels

Dear Karin Winner, Editor:

Ms. Winner, I just canceled my 15+ year subscription to the Union-Tribune. I asked to speak to a supervisor who would convey my reason for doing so to the appropriate individuals within the company. The reason I gave to Hector was the U-T’s recent decision to publish all City employee names and salary information on signonsandiego.com.

I would like to amplify the reason for that decision with you, the editor who ultimately exercised that choice. And let there be no question about my motivations-my decision is based upon 26 years of service as a City employee at the Central Library.

Busby Bust Based on Bias?

Busby Bust Based on Bias?

The internets are all atwitter over the last few days over reports that a fundraising event in Encinitas for Democratic Candidate Francine Busby was raided by San Diego Sheriffs on Saturday. Contrary to news reports claiming that two persons were arrested, seven attendees were at one point under arrest for heinous crimes including attempting to photograph the Sheriffs Officer as he sprayed the unruly crowd of middle aged Democrats with pepper spray.

Sewer spill at Dog Beach ignored by OBceans

Sewer spill at Dog Beach ignored by OBceans

MSNBC reported that a sewer spill has closed Dog Beach in OB. The spill, they reported, involved nearly 15,000 gallons and originated from the Adobe Falls area east of here.

Dave Gilbert checked it out this morning and found OBceans ignoring the stay-out signs. Here’s his report ….

A Hot (Chili) Time in OB - The Winners!

A Hot (Chili) Time in OB - The Winners!

by Wireless Mike

AND THE WINNERS ARE …. we have them!

It’s that time of year again when things really heat up in OB. It’s the Annual Chili Cookoff. It was another perfect day, the kind of day we take for granted in OB. But the heat wasn’t in the air. It was inside the bubbling kettles heating up over propane flames.

The Chili Cookoff took place at the lawn on Abbott Street just south of the Lifeguard Tower. There were about 25 booths set up around the perimeter of the lawn.

It Isn’t News When Mostly Good Things Happen at the OB Street Fair

It Isn’t News When Mostly Good Things Happen at the OB Street Fair

by Doug Porter

Enough people to constitute a small city filled the streets of Ocean Beach this weekend for the 30th Annual OB Street Fair. Millions of dollars were pumped into a local economy. Families brought their children to have fun. A thriving arts and music scene was given a massive platform to share their creativity. The City government cooperated with non-governmental organizations and (for the most part) delivered services in an efficient manner to its citizens.

And it wasn’t newsworthy enough to merit coverage in our daily newspaper. Nada. Not a picture. Not a story.

The Lot of the Street Fair Vendor in OB Enchanted Land

The Lot of the Street Fair Vendor in OB Enchanted Land

by Frank Gormlie

We drove into Ocean Beach for the Street Fair intending to take an outsider’s view. With the bumper-to-bumper traffic coming in on Sunset Cliffs and then on West Point Loma, with everybody on the sidewalks streaming south, it truly looked like OB was part of a theme park - OB Enchanted Land.

Bicycle vendors and trolleys carried the park visitors to the center of the festivities - Newport Ave - the downtown of the modern OB Wonderland. Newport was like that little “Mainstreet” at the front of Disneyland.

Street Fair: OB sure knows how to party

Street Fair: OB sure knows how to party

by Mary E Mann

Among the many things I can say about Ocean Beach, one is that this community sure knows how to get behind a party.

According to friends of mine, OB old-timers, this year’s Street Fair was tame. No longer are people allowed to drink openly in the streets, for one thing.

How the West Was Won - how urban planning in Ocean Beach became democratic

How the West Was Won - how urban planning in Ocean Beach became democratic

by Frank Gormlie

Have you heard of the OB Planning Board? Meeting monthly, the Board is the official body - made up of local residents, property owners and businesses - that advises the City of San Diego on development and construction projects and issues slated for Ocean Beach. And it’s the closest thing to an elected body for OB.

While it meets in the OB Rec Center on Santa Monica, the Planning Board is supposed to ensure that the Precise Plan - OB’s urban design plan - is followed by developers, home and apartment/condo-builders - and the City.

OB Rag's Own Anna Daniels Makes the News

OB Rag’s Own Anna Daniels Makes the News

It’s one thing to wake up, drink coffee and turn to the daily fish-wrap, but it’s quite another to do that and see your fellow OB Rag bloggster on the goddamn front page of the Local News! But there she was - our own Anna Daniels - featured in an article about how hundreds of city employees are retiring to make the higher pension rates.

Here’s the front of today’s article from SignOnSanDiego … 608 workers retire to lock in benefits

Free Speech in the Streets at the OB Fair

Free Speech in the Streets at the OB Fair

My beloved and I were headed into Artist Alley. It was slow going through the crowd back to the stage area. Richard grabbed my arm and said “check out the signs.”

He read out loud “Don’t Go to Hell” printed on one and then “Read Bible for Details” on another. “It gets better,” he added. “It seems that certain restrictions apply—check them out.”

'We all had a great time' - musically speaking - at the OB Street Fair

‘We all had a great time’ - musically speaking - at the OB Street Fair

by Dave Gilbert

I love the OB street fair! I look forward to it the way a kid looks forward to Christmas. Yesterday’s was certainly no exception. I got an early start and showed up around 10 a.m. because my plan was to catch both John Taffola’s set and Bart Mendoza’s band the Shambles set too, but the best laid plans…. I caught one song by the School of Rock, (Somebody to Love) before I headed to the ATM to procure some 20’s.

More Photos! OB Street Fair 2009

More Photos! OB Street Fair 2009

We’ve received more photos from our own Wireless Mike and another good friend of the Rag, R. Kacmar. Look for an upcoming article by Wireless Mike on the Chili Cook Off and check out other photos taken by R. Kacmar’s in Anna’s post, Trolley Tales, about the the trolley service to the Street Fair.
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Trolley Tales - OB Street Fair 2009

Trolley Tales - OB Street Fair 2009

9:30 am. We arrived at the Sea World Drive parking lot shortly after Gary Gilmore had opened the gate-with bolt cutters. Gary says this has become an annual tradition. The gate is never opened by the City as planned and Gary has learned to never leave home on this day without the OBMA bolt cutters.

Two shiny Old Town Trolleys were waiting there …

Vendorland at the Fair - Street Level

Vendorland at the Fair - Street Level

by Lane Tobias

Treated to a beautiful San Diego summer day, thousands of people flocked to OB to take part in the 30th incarnation of the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival . Not only was the event a shot in the arm for local businesses and for OB as a whole, but the music was fantastic, the event ran smoothly, and the vibe was electric (at least for OB standards). …

As for the vendors, the very people who make this fair the bustling event that it is, it was obvious even before the crowds started showing up around 2:00pm who was going to have a good day.

OB Street Fair: Da Bomb - Photos

OB Street Fair: Da Bomb - Photos

After the historic 30th annual OB Street Fair, the seaside beach community nurses its hangover from the day of partying.

It was a picture-perfect day for OB’s annual street festival, its Chili-Cook-off, the bands, the vendors, the food, the festivities and crowds.

Here’s the first crop of photos, taken by Doug Porter and Jeff Stone. We’ll be adding more as they come in!

OB Street Fair: SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

OB Street Fair: SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

by Gary Gilmore

There’s more to our little Street Fair than chili, music, beer & good times.

What makes this whole extravaganza tick is money. That’s right, crass as it may seem, it’s money that makes the Street Fair go ‘round.

All 250 vendors (give or take a few) with their colorful booths, … had to fork over $365 bucks each …

OB Makes the Union-Tribune (again) - One Year Ago

OB Makes the Union-Tribune (again) - One Year Ago

OB Rag Makes the Union-Tribune

Today - June 26, 2009: this was the original headline one year ago, posted on June 14, 2008. We thought we would run it again for some obvious reasons.

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Here’s the piece on O.B. that ran in Saturday’s U-T and we’re quoted …

The First Ocean Beach Street Fair

The First Ocean Beach Street Fair

by Mike James

As co-chair of the first Street Fair, I must set the record straight. This year’s 30th Annual Street Fair is actually the 28th.

The first street fair which took place July 4th, 1982 and was an expansion of the Fireworks Festival which began in 1980 (hence the 30th anniversary).

Ride the Trolley to the OB Street Fair

Ride the Trolley to the OB Street Fair

Why hassle with trying to find a parking space when you can be eating chili and groovin’ to the tunes this Saturday? If you are one of the 70,000 people anticipated to attend the fair, and if you are driving, you can park at two locations, take a trolley and leave the hassles to Larry, Curley and Bob. And it’s FREE!

 Some Like It Hot - Getting Ready for the OB Chili Cook Off

Some Like It Hot - Getting Ready for the OB Chili Cook Off

As part of the OB Rag’s team coverage of the 30th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook Off, we’re presenting this little “warm up” for Saturday’s Chili Cook Off.

We’ll have our own correspondent “embedded” deep within this fierce competition.

San Diego Protest Against State Cut-backs

San Diego Protest Against State Cut-backs

by Gregg Robinson

Yesterday roughly 150 people showed up at the California State building on Front Street to demand rejection of Gov. Schwartzenegger’s draconian cuts to state services. Rally attendees heard speakers from religious, trade-union, and community groups speak out against the cuts.

With nearly one million children threatened …

Jim Grant shares his sunsets

Jim Grant shares his sunsets

Jim Grant is one of the best local photographers in the OB/ Point Loma area. He keeps sending us his shots of sunsets and other wonderful views - and we just have to share. Which one do you prefer?

If you have any beautiful - or not so beautiful photos of OB or Point Loma you’d like us to showcase, send them to us via email : obragblog@gmail.com

Good-bye Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

Good-bye Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream

I worried, oh how I worried, when my favorite ice cream company, Ben & Jerry’s, was bought out in 2000.

Since I live in their home area, rumors were thick; the giant, Unilever, decided they couldn’t beat them, so they made Ben & Jerry’s join them. I heard from supermarket managers that they were up against losing shelf space, always hotly contested. Stock problems; premium ice cream losing sales; owners getting older.

Let's Get This Party Started! OB Rag Coverage of the 30th Annual Street Fair Starts Today

Let’s Get This Party Started! OB Rag Coverage of the 30th Annual Street Fair Starts Today

All systems appear to be “go” for this weekend’s big bash. With a little luck, 70,000 people will drop in for some fun in OB this weekend. The organizing committee for the 30th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook Off had their final meeting Monday evening at the Ocean Beach Main Street Association offices on Bacon Street.

A couple of details that you need to know: …

Protests in Iran an Inspiration for Apathetic, Apolitical Generation of Americans

Protests in Iran an Inspiration for Apathetic, Apolitical Generation of Americans

by Lane Tobias

As I have been following the election protests in Iran over the last week or so, I can’t help but feel inspired by the movement’s energy. Long a polarizing global political figure, Iran now has everyone fixated on the unrest in its streets.

For those of us who grew up only knowing Iran as an “evil” place with religious dictators who present death doctrines for anyone not supportive of the ruling regime, it has been an eye-opening experience seeing first-hand the cultural importance Iranians place on personal freedom.

Making

Making “Waves” OBcean-style

For those of you that ever tried putting together a mix tape you know just how much fun it can be stringing your favorite songs together all in one place and then playing them for your friends either loudly in your car, house or at a party.

The first time I ever heard O.B. mentioned in a song was off of the very first KGB Homegrown Album from 1974 which had a line from a song that went, “Ocean Beach is breezy you can live like a bum”. The second time was a song on a later Homegrown album called “O.B. Bop” so, I was stoked to get a chance to sit down with local musician/producer/entertainer Chuck Schiele and check out what he’s put together with, Waves, a compilation of O.B. music Vol. 1.